Hitting Driver Basics: Why Is The Driver So Hard To Hit?

How many times during a round of golf to you stand and ask, “What are some of the hitting driver basics?” Although I know you will not agree with me … but… Your driver does not hate you. There are some things about this club that may make it seem harder to hit as well as some of your other “favorite” clubs.

Here are some things that you need to understand about hitting driver basics…

Your Attitude

Understanding hitting driver basics begin with your attitude. I know you do not want to hear this… but… everyone needs a little tough love every once in a while. I will even go easy on you by asking you to answer two simple questions. 1. What is your favorite club? And 2. Why?

I am going to go out on a limb and guess that it had something to do with the way it looks at address and how solid it feels through impact. Am I right?

And these feelings give you a sense of confidence while setting up over the golf ball. In turn, you make a much better swing and enjoy a much better result.

It simply comes down to one of my favorite quotes “Whether you think that you can or you think that you cannot you are right” – Henry Ford. You first have to have a good attitude about the club in your hand before you swing it.

If you do not, then grab a different club, like a 3-wood or even a hybrid if it is what it takes to get it in play… for now.

Ok, Ok, I can hear you while you are reading this… “So far you are telling me my driver does not like me but I have to like it?” That helps, however, there are a few other reasons that this club seems to be harder to hit for many golfers. Here you go…

Driver Head Size

Bigger is always better! Right? In this case, not always. As a new golfer or just a casual golfer, you may not have realized that several years ago, the USGA limited the coefficient of restitution, which is also known as COR in the industry.

I know this may seem like a big confusing word for a golf professional to use but it simply refers to is the amount that a golf ball can spring or have a trampoline effect off of a clubface.

It is safe to say that all of the manufacturers are at the limit. If they were not, their clubs may not make the ball fly as far and then sales would go down the tubes. So looking for a driver to purchase is much like looking for a new putter.

If the head does not fit your eye or look good to you when it is sitting on the ground… keep on looking.

Centeredness of Contact

One of the five laws to hitting a golf ball is centeredness of contact. If you are out of control from your Macho Outlook, you will more than likely not catch the ball in the “Sweet Spot” of the face.

So until you can produce a swing that allows you to consistently use the sweet spot, you really are not doing yourself any favors others than feeling like you are going to take out some frustration.

As we all know this does not work because you are just looking in the woods for your ball or re-teeing another one.

Length of Your Driver

We have already discussed that bigger is not always better and it holds true for the length of your driver shaft too.

In trying to gain more distance for the recreational golfer, many manufactures slowly started to lengthen the shaft. The reasoning was sound in that the longer the lever the more power could be created. However, there comes a point of diminishing returns (Another big term for a golf professional).

It very well may go longer. However, it is more difficult to control. This equates to players just deeper in the woods and frustrated.

When looking for a driver, of course, I suggest that you are custom fit with a launch monitor and a respected, busy club fitter.

Ask to hit a 43.5 inch to 44.5 inch driver. Keep in mind centeredness of contact is the goal. I have learned that you do not know what exactly will happen until the player has swung the golf club. Swing as many as you can.

Loft and Shaft Flex

You will need a high-end launch monitor to measure this such as a TrackMan, FlightScope, etc. as a fitter cannot see this with their naked eye.

These numbers are all about how you deliver the club in to the ball and are determined by many things such as ball position, spin rates, static loft on the club versus dynamic loft, etc.

Long story short, the loft and shaft that you will need should optimize flight conditions for your swing speed and spin rates.

To me, it is too complex to throw a blanket statement out that if you have driver swing speed of 90mph then you should swing this shaft and this head with this loft.

That is why you need the launch monitor and the experience of the fitter.

My goal is to provide you with some information to ask the right questions and get the best driver for you and your game.

Too many times, a player will walk into a golf shop or discount store and want to buy what the hottest player on one of the tours is playing. This is a disastrous mistake.

Odds are they do not swing the same, have the same physical conditioning and most importantly deliver the shaft and club head to the ball the same way.

Macho Man Outlook

Now you would think that I am only talking to the guys here. However, I have seen this just as much in the ladies that I have taught. They pull the driver out and you can physically see their body change.

All of a sudden, they think that they have to swing as fast a drag car moving down a drag strip!

If you simply “feel” your driver swing the same speed as you swing your favorite club it will go farther due to some factors that we have previously talked about.

Keep in mind that the harder that you try to “HIT” a ball the tighter, shorter and slower many of your muscles get, which only slows down your swing! That is you doing that to you, not your club! Wo will talk about this in future posts!

So… your driver does not hate you. Due to multiple factors, many players find the driver so hard to hit. Hopefully with the information above, you can find a driver that you love… or… at least like a little bit!

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